What Are the Benefits of Ginseng?

You may be wondering What is Ginseng good for? The Benefits of Ginseng are
many, and in fact this page couldn't hold them all. However lets first talk
about what Ginseng is. (Check out What is
Ginseng?)

Ginseng, in fact, is one of the eleven species of slow-growing perennial
plants with fleshy roots, that is part of the Panax family of the Araliaceae.
Ginseng can only be found in certain parts of the world such as the Northern
Hemisphere, in North America and in Eastern Asia (mostly Korea, Northern
China (Manchuria), and Eastern Siberia) in cool climates.

The only known Ginseng that grows in the a little bit warmer climate is
the species known as Panax vietnamensis. It was originally discovered in
the forests of Vietnam.

The word Ginseng comes from the Chinese term Rén meaning "man" and shen
meaning a kind of herb. It also describes the way the plant looks which is
fork like and looks like the shape of a man.

Medical & Herbal Health:
Different Herbal Uses for Ginseng

Ginseng roots are usually taken orally as adaptogens, aphrodisiacs,
nourishing stimulants, and has been used in the treatment of type II
diabetes, as well as for sexual dysfunction in men.

The benefits of Ginseng for type II diabetes is well known and has become
increasing important in giving hope to patients with type II diabetes.
Several studies have found that American Ginseng can lower blood sugar
levels in patients diagnosed with type II diabetes.

The effect was found both on fasting blood sugar and on postprandial (after
eating) glucose levels. One study found that people with type II diabetes
who took American ginseng before or together with a high sugar drink,
experienced less of an increase in blood sugar levels.

Another study using lab mice found that the American Ginseng berry was more
effective at lowering blood sugar levels than the root. Lots of American
products such as soft drinks, advertise the use of Ginseng and the benefits
of Ginseng on their labels.

But as with any findings, more research is needed before there are any
definite conclusions about the benefits of Ginseng in diabetes patients.

Benefits of Ginseng for Hair Growth

The ginseng benefits for hair growth is an exciting part of the research
being done using this well-known herb. In Osaka, Japan, there was a study
that suggested that the Ginsenoside Ro carbohydrate was shown to help fight
androgenetic alopecia, commonly known as balding, in men. It is thought that
this could have widespread cosmetic implications and lead to future drug
development for the prevention and regrowth of hair in men with natural
herbal ginseng remedies.

Benefits of Ginseng on Skin

Drinking ginseng tea is good for refining and rehydrating the skin
effectively. It is also thought to promote skin cell regeneration by
increasing oxygenation to skin cells. It also has the effect of boosting
blood circulation as well as detoxifying the blood, which is very important to
human skin health. Free of toxins, the skin can gain a better complexion and
therefore better look.

Ginseng Benefits Weight Loss

Ginseng does many things to help human health, but many people do not
realize that ginseng is good for weight loss. It gives an energy boost and
can help fight fatigue. Because of this, it allows for the person to be more
active. One of the big things that it does in the weight loss battle is by
regulating blood sugar. It does this by reducing the amount of carbohydrate
that is converted into fat. Also, it is important to point out that ginseng
alone will not help lose weight if the person engages in poor dietary
choices. It is vital that a well balanced diet is followed and that the
person is active. Otherwise, like the old English proverb says, don't dig
your grave with your own knife and fork.

One more note, we don't recommend that you take dieting to excesses. The
dangers of bulimia and anorexia is very real for many people, men and women,
in today's diet crazed world that values of looking thin. Looking thin and
being healthy is wonderful, however everything needs to be done in
moderation. Think of the health benefits of being a normal weight, don't
focus on your body's physical appearance. Most of all... Be healthy, and the
rest will fall into place.

Hopefully, you will see that ginseng can be a key cog in helping weight loss
happen naturally. Just don't get wrapped up in it. Be happy and healthy and
remember the funny line by humor columnist Dave Barry, when he said "The
leading cause of death among fashion models is falling through street
grates." So true, Barry. So true :-)

Women's Health - What Are The Ginseng Benefits for Women?

Ginseng, in medical herbalism, as a medical herb is commonly used in
treating women's health issues like abnormal menstruation and strong PMS
symptoms.

Women in perimenopause often look to solutions for producing more
estrogen with ginseng. It is, quite famously, thought that this stimulation
of estrogen in the female ovaries causes a boost in libido in women. Of
course, women like men, often like it because it can be useful in weight
loss.

Cancer Patients Often Look to Ginseng For Help

Another benefit of Ginseng has shown in some studies indicate that it can
inhibit tumor growth. In one laboratory study on colorectal cancer cells,
researchers found that American ginseng possessed powerful anti-cancer
properties.

Sexual Benefits of Ginseng - What Are The Ginseng Benefits Sexually?

Another health benefit of Ginseng is for sexual dysfunction in men. In
one study that was done in Korea which evaluated the benefits of ginseng for
men in regards to erectile dysfunction, and showed that 60 percent of men
who took Ginseng said that they were able to achieve an erection with much
greater ease than without it. The other group of men who received only a
placebo reported 30 percent of them indicated that they noticed an
improvement in their ability to achieve erections.

This study also showed that things such as the firmness of erections, and
overall thickness of the erection were also improved. Nearly two-thirds of
the men in this study said they had seen improvements with their erection
and quality of sex after taking Ginseng. This is largely due to the increase
in production of nitric oxide within the body, and there are studies which
prove that nitric oxide production is increased, too.

As mentioned before, the health benefits of Ginseng in diabetes patients
have been significant; it's also been beneficial for those with type II
diabetes who have sexual issues as well.

Another study done on rats that had diabetes showed that the sick rats who
suffer from diabetes had lower levels of antioxidants which meant they were
more likely to have erectile dysfunction. In this case study, however, the
diabetic rats were given Ginseng, and the results were very pleasing to
scientist. The antioxidant levels that were typically lower had greatly
increased, and as a result, their ability to achieve erections had greatly
increased.

It is important to note that this was a study on animals, but the fact is
that the results correspond with those results found in human studies too.
This cased also showed that the libido in the rats was increased
dramatically and this has also been demonstrated in studies conducted on
humans too.

What Products Use Ginseng

Although Ginseng can be taken in different forms including pills, the
most common use of Ginseng in products is through teas and sodas. Companies
like Pepsi, Lipton and the Arizona Tea Company, have all introduced Ginseng
in their products because of its health benefits. Don't underestimate the
benefits of ginseng and green tea. Great stuff!

Even if you aren't a tea or soda drinker, you can still purchase Ginseng at
your local pharmacy or local health food stores; most of the time it is sold
over the counter and no prescription will be necessary.

The Side Effects of Ginseng in Human Health

Now while the health benefits of Ginseng is mostly healthful and
promising in most studies done, there are some side effects of Ginseng. In
some cases it can prevent nausea and dizziness but yet in others, it can be
increase it. It can also cause fatigue and migraine headaches; although it
is rare, it's still a possibility.

You also have to consider that since this is an herbal medicine, there is
a greater chance that some people may have allergic reactions. This is true
especially when using white and red ginseng. Before you take any of these
products, make sure that you do not have an allergic reaction to them.

Also, Ginseng can help lower blood pressure and blood sugar, you can still
can run the risk of having anemia low insulin levels.

How Do Most People Use Ginseng To Benefit Their Health?

It is very common for people to wonder how to best prepare and consume
ginseng. Most people love to drink ginseng tea, however it can also be
consumed by other means such as in powdered form through capsules, root
extracts, & honeyed root for direct consumption but tea is probably the most
popular. The benefits of ginseng tea are many, and shouldn't be overlooked.
It helps get the ginseng into the bloodstream faster as it is absorbed by
the stomach lining.

The
benefits of Ginseng far out weigh most of the negative side effects

Most people don't realize that ginseng is not only a herbal supplement, but
it is also used in Asian cuisine. In Korea, ginseng is very commonly used in
the local cooking. In fact it is used in many of the soups there and, of
course. You will find that a pile of chopped ginseng is often thrown in
chicken soup and simmered for hours. This softens the root and makes it more
palatable for most people. However, as a raw food, many folks in Asia like
to chew the root in its raw form too, but it is not as common. It is a very
flexible plant used in everyday Asian life. The benefits of ginseng root
usage in cooking is the added fiber to your diet. :-)

Ginseng tea is a very popular method of consuming ginseng. It is most common
to make ginseng tea from whole roots, although it is often sliced into root
slivers as well and placed in tea bags.

Conclusion on The Benefits of Ginseng

The benefits of Ginseng out weigh most of the negative side effects in
taking this herb. However, before you decide to start taking Ginseng for
health benefits, you may want to speak to your doctor first. They can give
you advice on if you should take Ginseng and if you do how much you should
take.

Also realize that in a lot of cases when taking Ginseng, that you will
probably have to change your lifestyle habits as well especially if you are
taking them to lower your blood pressure and your sugar levels. Exercise
along with better eating habits (and taking Ginseng) working together can
also lower your levels as well.

Overall, taking Ginseng for health purposes is basically harmless, just do
your homework, see your doctor and be aware of all the side effects that it
could have on your health